The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-02-03

entails but that it shall compel railroad lines |
centreing at New York, also, to recognize and |
respect these differentials. We may also claim |
that whenever rates are cut from New York, |
Philadelphia or Boston, to 'pooled points, in |
the West, the same rates shall be Immediately |
extended to Baltimore; and further, that Balti- |
more shall have, under all circumstances, the |
same rates to Western points that are given to |
certain well-known New York and New Eng |
land manufacturing towns which enjoy an ac-
tual advantage in not being clasSed as pooled |
points" having, as they do, lower rates than
any that are accorded to Baltimore.
This, then, is the position of the B. d 0. R. |
R., and from the experience of the past year,
and from the assurances received from its
highest Official we are ready to believe this to
be the policy that will shape its course.
All the transportation lines centreing in Bal
timore, with single exception, have, through
their managers, manifested a willingness to
concede to our business interests the protec
ton which we demand. Thus, no complaint
has been made of determinations against Bal
timore on Western shipments. Your trans
poratioH committee reports that whenever
rates have been reduced from New York like
reduction has been made TO our shippers.
The welfare of our city does not depend upon
any one channel of commerce: each railway
and steamship line centreing here contributes
to the general good, and such contribution is
! fully appreciated. But the position taken by
this association is one of responsibility, and its
duty to act in cases that involve the rights of
shippers over lines that are chartered by our
people, is duty to be unfinchingly performed.
| We desire to avoid an attitude of antagonlsm,
but we cannot shrink from any Issue that is
| forced upon US; we have made resistance to
freight determinations against us, and, in most
cases, success has rewarded our efforts; still,
the full power of this body has never been
called forth. We have weapons in our
armory that, up to this time, have never
| been needed, but which we shall use
with decisive effect, if occasion re-
quire. A discrimination against Baltimore,
| that has existed for year. calls for the best
| efforts of this association TO secure redress
Some months ago the attention of Mr.. Geo. T.
| Wilkins general agent at this point for the
| Pennsylvania Railroad Company, was called 10
discrimination against this city, which works
US the gravest injury and injustice. Any right
minded person, upon a mere statement OF facts
must perceive that this is so. 1t is to be adj
| mitted that in all the relations between tins
association and the Pennsylvania Railroad
| Company uniform courtesy has been the rule
and that, usually, prompt redress has remedled
admitted grievances; but in this case we have
| been met by persistent refusal to do justice to
Baltimore.
| The point is this In consequence of war
| of rates between railway and water lines, the
Pennsylvania Railroad has, for more than
year been carrying freights at greatly reduced
| rates from New York to Norfolk. Fifteen
cents per 100 lbs, first-class, IS the rate from
| New York to Norfolk, while. 30 cents are
| eXacte0 from New OK 10 baltlIuOre 1udS-
much as both Norfolk and Richmond are
among our strongest competitors for the
Southern trade most unfair advantage Is
taken of this city. Norfolk is charged Is cents
| for haul of 1856 miles, while Baltimore is
charged So for "a haul of 200. 1t is too obvious
| for discussion that this menaces our Virginia
| and North Carolina business Representations
have been made to the Pennsyl wanna Railroad
Company, in all patience and moderation.
Argument and appeal have been exhausted,
Ill IF, 1lo fIa In0
lines have failed. The Pennsylvania Railroad
Company was urged to furnish 2O-cent rate
from New York to Baltimore, while the present
rates to Norfolk remain in force your com
mittee, feeling assured that every merchant
would be willing to pay equitable rates when
final settlement should be reached; but. after
considerable delay, the company declined this
request.
While. as your president, I do not feel dis
posed to advise that this association should
place itself in an attitude of hostility to the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, deem It
my duty to place the aaattar carly before the
community, in order that public opinion may
form itself fairly, and exert Its proper lnhu-
ence. This whole community suffers just as
the merchants do. Injustice to Baltimore
business affects every part OF Baltimore life.
The people of Maryland have, by the state
constitution. ever since 1851, been guaran-
teed against freight Determinations, and the
rights thus recognized under the organic law
can be enforced. Coercive measures may be
of questionable utility, but it may be remenl-
bered, at this point that the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company has acquired valuable tran
chises rom this city, and is now the bench
cary of important privileges, which may be
recalled, and the time seems to be ripe for de-
csive action Unless we are met III concilia-
tory spirit by the company, and this fragrant
discrimination against us be removed, 1t Will
become necessary for this association to make
its full weight felt i'll the Legislature OF this
state and the Council of this city. Should such
action become necessary, the counues, as wen
as the cities of Maryland, would show that
they are in accord with us upon this great
question.
Since the inception of this association it has
earnestly worked to secure direct all-rail freight
facilities with the Southern States. The West
ern Maryland Railroad Company, through its
connection at Roanoke, Va. has partially sup
piled this necessity, and it is one OF the needs
and hopes of the near future that the two
great lines running almost due North and
| South may open the gate at Alexandria, Va,
and offer their facilities to us.
| We believe that it would be to the interest of
these lines to be operated with a strict recogni
ton of the claims of Baltimore-it being the
first city reached in their northern course, pos
sessing commercial and industrial interests of
the first importance-but, should either of
them. or both, pursue the opposite policy, in
calculable injury must result
In the same connection the Philadelphia
branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, as
Baltimore, would materially strengthen our
position; but if operated in disregard of the in
| terests of this city, might cause uncounted
evils.
There may be very slight grounds for ap-
prehensions OF so grave nature, but the future
policy of these lines should be carefully OBJ
served, and the rates in force from cities north
of us diligently scrutinized.
Our safety must consist in tireleSs vigilance
and resolution to maintain our rights in the
face of all opposition; and falling in this, we
must invoke the aid of all trade oreaniza-
tons. the press of the cities and counties of
the state, the authority Of state and municipal
institutions. and all other levers Of power in
our body polite. 1t is suggested that this as
ISOLATION should forthwith adopt means of
ascertalning promptly, two or three times per
month, the freight rates to and from other
cities, so that We may compare them with the
rates prevailing to and from this point Thus
informed we should know at any hour just
where we stand.
The strong effort. made early in the year, to
re-estaDllsh steamship communication between |
this port and Charleston, which secured nearly |
$4,000 in subscriptions, was discontinued |
owing to the failure of the crops in the vicinity
of Charleston and the great disaster which |
befell the city itself. But it is not intended
that this enterprise shall be abandoned but |
only postponed until such time as affairs in |
that section resume their normal condition.
A memorial to Congress, praying for re- |
peal OF the duty upon sugar imported from
such countries as impose no export duty upon |
that article, has been signed by the leading
business houses of this city. This seems very |
wise measure, and SHOULD Congress take favor
able action upon it, it would insure great re-